BAGUIO CITY– The Cordillera Regional Task Force is now looking into the needs and welfare of children in COVID – affected communities in the Benguet towns of Itogon and Tuba as management of cases is now improving.
In the RTF COVID–19 OPLAN TUGON (Tuba – Itogon) special meeting yesterday, Benguet Provincial Health Officer Dr. Nora Ruiz reported that active cases in Itogon are down to 149 and 60 in Tuba.
Contact tracing activities, quarantine and isolation of active and suspect cases are continuing, Ruiz said, adding that there are enough available beds at the Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs).
One concern brought out in the meeting by the RTF’s Regional Incident Management Teams (RIMTs) deployed in the two towns is the need to give more focus on the needs and welfare of children, both those tested positive and the children of COVID–19 confirmed patients. The RITM reported that there were 23 children (17 year olds and below) included in the data of COVID–19 confirmed cases in said areas.
In response, DSWD–CAR Regional Director Leo Quintilla who heads the RTF Oplan TUGON volunteered the activation of their Reception and Study Center for Children in Irisan in Baguio City as a temporary shelter for children of COVID–19 patients. He will assign personnel to look into the needs of children in COVID–19 affected communities in Benguet.
Quintilla also urged the activation of the Local Councils for the Protection of Children down to the barangay level for the assessment of the needs and welfare of children.
For assistance provided by Oplan TUGON, DSWD reported that 2,816 family food packs were provided to Itogon while 460 FFPs and 222 hygiene kits were provided to Tuba. Some 5,670 FFPs, 300 sleeping kits and 500 malongs are also approved and set for augmentation for Itogon LGU.
Cordillera Regional DRRM Council Chairperson, Director Albert Mogol, in his message, expressed gratitude to the members of RTF-COVID and for the continuing strong partnership and coordination in putting up a united front in the fight against COVID-19 and the challenges brought by the recent tropical cyclones that affected the region and the country.
In addition, he called for a continuing synergy towards the goal of ensuring a safe and resilient Cordillera.
“This is but another test of our resilience and capabilities. We need to be on guard to ensure effective planning and implementation of interventions; it is important to continuously enhance action plans based on existing national and regional strategies, along with local requirements and needs”, he said.**By Carlito C. Dar, PIA CAR
